Keeran Ward

Profile

I joined the University of Leeds in September 2021 as a Visiting Lecturer in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering, from the small island developing state of Trinidad and Tobago where I attended the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus and completed my BSc (Hons) in Chemical and Process Engineering. I moved to the UK initially in 2010 to complete my MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering and PhD in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London. My research is multidisciplinary at heart and considers fundamental techniques across both Natural Sciences and Engineering to produce new, scalable and sustainable products from viable value chains. I remain focused on building an active and inclusive space, that promotes diversity and individuality through research. 

Academic Positions

• Lecturer- School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds (2021-Present)
• Lecturer in Chemical Engineering- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus (2016-2021)
• Research Associate- Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College London (2011)

Education

• PhD, Chemical Engineering- Imperial College London (2012-2016)
• MSc, Advanced Chemical Engineering with Biotechnology-Imperial College London (2010-2011)
• BSc, Chemical and Process Engineering (Hons)- University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus (2006-2009)

Research interests

My research interests couple both experimental and computational techniques to provide solutions to challenges within the sustainability space. My core research strands focus on: Climate resilient process systems that can advocate for new, green and scalable products from viable value chains and developing supply chain management strategies that can augment products to various sectors.

Climate resilient process systems 

In considering the resiliency of a process system, its operations must be inherently sustainable- able to sustain its own operations regardless of incoming adversity. Therefore, the process must be energy efficient in its own right as well as adaptable. I am particularly interested in the fundamental development of model process systems design for new technologies and value chains (organic, bio-based and renewable feedstocks) that can lead the net-zero challenge across the chemical sector.  My research focuses on process systems design and chemical synthesis , to propose and integrate principles for coupled sustainable, scalable biomaterials production centred around resource-circular initiatives - bridging engineering approaches with chemical sciences.

Sustainable supply chain management

In meeting Sustainable Development Goals, hybridization of process systems to guarantee key performance indicators. My research builds on this scope by utilising optimization techniques to augment various products and supply chains in meeting sector specific sustainable operations.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons)- Chemical and Process Engineering
• MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering with Biotechnology
• PhD Chemical Engineering

Professional memberships

• Chartered Member (MIChemE) - Institution of Chemical Engineers

Current postgraduate researchers

• Ashley Victoria